Achilles Tatius' Leucippe and Clitophon Books 1-4 Study Questions

Be prepared to identify: Leucippe, Clitophon, Sidon, Europa, Kalligone, Andromeda, Prometheus, Niobe, Satyros, Menelaos

Book One

1. Who is the narrator of the story?

2. What is the role of the ekphrasis on p. 176-177?

3. Who falls in love with whom on p. 179?

4. Why is the song of Apollo and Daphne significant?

5. How does the story of Kleinias and Charikles reflect on the main narrative?

6. What role does Kleinias play for Kleitophon?

7. How does Kleitophon set about seducing Leukippe in the garden?

Book Two

1. How does Kleitophon get a kiss from Leukippe?

2. What is the role of Satyros?

3. How does Kleitophon escape marriage with Kalligone and how has the narrative anticipated this episode?

4. What is the significance of the pair of fables about the gnat?

5. How does Pantheia interpret her dream?

6. What is the conjugal state of the lovers as they set off for Alexandria?

7. What are the main features of the rhetorical contest that ends this book?

Book Three

1. Compare the description of the shipwreck to those seen in Chariton and Xenophon.

2. What is the significance of the paintings described in the ekphrasis?

3. What horrific scene is Kleitophon forced to witness? How was this scene foreshadowed earlier?

4. Compare this false death with those in the other novels we have read.

Book Four

1. How can we account for Charmides' eloquent display of learning?

2. What dangers threaten Leukippe in this book?

3. What features of the Second Sophistic can be seen so far?